Welcome to Southern Indiana's premier Event Space and Reception Venue!
(83)
1614 E Spring Street
New Albany, IN
47150
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HISTORY (1919-2000)
The history of the Calumet Club name and building span nearly a century [99 years]. The first cornerstone of 1614 Spring Street was laid in 1919, by the builders of the famous “club”, which would later be home to nearly 1000 members. The original “Calumet Club” was originally formed in 1909, by a group of young men who desired a common meeting place where they could enjoy each other’s company in games and conversation. The word “Calumet” [cal-u-may] is of French descent, derived from the Calumet Native American word for a certain, “pipe of hospitality; one good fellowship”. The club had a few different locations in which they presided, before moving to their final location on Spring Street. They had ups and downs in the beginning, several of the original members left, and the club almost ran out of funds entirely because of misunderstandings between members. However, in 1919 the members agreed to move to a permanent location in New Albany, and the club prevailed. The building was dedicated to, “to all men who gave their lives during the great war”. Some of the original members had served in WWI, and some never saw American soil again. The 9 original members of the club used the rooms in the club to play cards, checkers, listen to small talking machines, of which members provided their own records. Enthusiasm and interest, as well as a time of peace brought about a rise into forming a basketball team, which would bring much public attention. This would be the first time that Calumet Club would take place in the city’s social affairs. From 1911-1931 around 900 members came to be a part of the club. During these two decades the club flourished. The club had a 35 piece band, a tennis, baseball, football, basketball, golf, and fishing team. The club was a social and athletic in nature. It produced some of the finest baseball, basketball, and football teams in Southern Indiana. It was considered the social center of the area. The 3rd floor of the Calumet Club served as a basketball gym, in which the Louisville Cardinals were actually beat by the Calumet Club. The building held some of the State’s top athletic and social organizations of the Falls City Area (Jeffersonville, New Albany, Louisville, Clarksville).
Through the years, the 1st floor of the building originally housed pool tables, showers, lockers, bowling alleys, and supposedly a swimming pool. The 2nd floor was divided by a ten foot wide hallway. The floor consisted of 4 reception rooms, a library, dormitory, kitchen, directors office, and four game rooms. The 3rd floor was a dance and athletic hall, it measured 6000 square feet. During the span of 1911-1931, 811 members remained active, paying monthly dues of about $1.50 (about 40 dollars today). In 1917, after a devastating tornado struck New Albany, the Club abandoned all activity in order to aid the city in relief efforts.
It wasn’t until about 1932 that the Calumet Club’s demise occurred, due to the economic downturn of the Great Depression, the invention of the automobile, and the opportunity for other types of entertainment. The National Guard would use the building from 1939 until 1957 as a training ground for troops as well as an enlistment depot. Parts of the National Guard remain in the building, such as the Mercator World Map Projection located on the 2nd floor in the Groom’s room. The building was then sold to the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, who used it until 2000 when it was purchased by Richard (Dick) Bliss.
